Ortega y Gasset’s Philosophy: Ratiovitalism, Perspective, and Social Critique
Ratiovitalism
This concept occupies the last stage of Ortega y Gasset’s life. It is a critique of pure rationalism, returning to vitalism to achieve a synthesis where reason and life are united. It denies Cartesian reason, which focuses on the analysis and synthesis of things. Each life is unique and characterized by pure change.
Critical Pragmatism
Ortega’s critical pragmatism focuses on verifying truth. He argues that truth cannot be reduced to a utilitarian standard in knowledge, as truth holds
Read MoreCatholic Social Teaching: Core Principles and Justice Concepts
Core Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
- Human Dignity
- Respect for Life
- Association/Participation
- Call to Family
- Preferential Option for the Poor
- Solidarity
- Subsidiarity
- Stewardship
- Common Good
Understanding Justice
Ensuring everyone receives their dues and is treated with basic human rights.
Four Types of Justice According to Aquinas
- Commutative Justice
- Distributive Justice
- Legal Justice
- Social Justice
Human Dignity
Every human being possesses inherent value and worth.
Respect for Human Life
Life, created by God, is
Philosophical Perspectives on Knowledge and Reality
Dogmatic Knowledge and Early Philosophy
Vulgar and dogmatic beliefs are based on tradition or dogma revealed by a deity. The traditions and dogmas are indisputable, justified by the sacred authority of ancestors or gods. Such knowledge is commonplace because it offers no rational proof for its claims. Dogmatic knowledge is accepted without contention or argument, often rooted in superstitious stories of sorcerers or myths. These narratives accept the existence of supernatural entities that act on
Read MorePhilosophical Perspectives on Society and State
Historical Views on Social Origin
To understand the concept of social origin, we can examine its interpretations throughout history.
Classical & Medieval Foundations
In Classical Antiquity, social origin was considered natural, a view that persisted into the Middle Ages. Authors such as Aristotle and Aquinas agreed on a natural source for the social: the subject is incapable of living alone and possesses language as a communication and learning tool.
Modern Age: Social Contract Theories
In the Modern
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: Key Concepts and Cultural Critique
Nietzsche’s Core Philosophical Concepts
Introduction to Nietzsche’s Thought
Friedrich Nietzsche’s interest focuses on man and life. His philosophy is written in aphorisms. It is rooted in vitalism and represents a backlash against German idealism, among other philosophies. We can divide Nietzsche’s philosophy into two main areas:
- Critique of Western Culture: Examining its philosophy, science, and religion.
- Proposals: Concepts such as life as Will to Power, the Übermensch (Superman), and the idea of
Understanding Virtues and Ethical Philosophy
Intellectual Virtues: Theoretical Foundations of Knowledge
Intellectual virtues are theoretical and cannot be learned solely by nature. They can be acquired through explanation and are deeply related to knowledge.
Prudence
Science
Science provides an account of knowledge, specifically the knowledge of universal and permanent things (an opinion is not science because it is changing). If one studies something and gains knowledge, it is related to the good.
Wisdom (Sabiduría)
True knowledge combined with